Cinch-n-lift magnetic water heater handles

ABSTRACT

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided two cinch-n-lift magnetic water heater handles. Each cinch-n-lift magnetic lifting handle consists of a handle base plate, magnetic material, one handle and, two strap loops. Each handle base plate and handle is formed to mirror the radius of a cylinder before assembly. The magnetic lifting handles are to be used with a strapping apparatus, because the magnets on the back are only for holding the handles to the tank, so the hands are free for strapping purposes. Simply apply the handles to the tank at a desired height and radius, then thread a strapping apparatus through the strap loops of the handles encompassing the tank and secure cinch-n-lift tight with a strapping apparatus. At that point the user has a secure set of handles to grasp and then can use proper lifting techniques for lifting and controlling a work load.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. provisional patent application, Ser. No. 60/891,016, filed Feb. 21, 2007, for CINCH-N-LIFT, by Michael John Messersmith, included by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to magnetic water heater handles for lifting tank type water heaters and, more particularly for a temporary grasping attachment to aid in lifting such tanks and containers that lack intrinsic handles or other lifting points.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water heaters are large, heavy, slick containers that in most cases are larger than the person installing them. Building code standards in most cases require that heaters be placed on elevated platforms 45.72 cm (18″) in height above finished floor. Standard lifting practices has always been using a bear hug technique or having to have someone else help. Because the tanks are very heavy, safety is the primary concern. Any lifting techniques which would not allow for a secure grasp on the tank and prevent dropping the water heater or causing bodily injury is unacceptable.

It would be beneficial to have a method and/or way for attaching lifting handles to water heaters which would be both safe and easy to use.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide temporary attachable handles for lifting and moving tank type water heaters and other such cylinders. It is still an object of the invention to allow a single person to pick up a tank type water heater by utilization of the legs thus keeping a straight back and avoiding critical injury from awkward bending and lifting techniques.

It is yet an object of the invention to aid in the prevention of unnecessary material loss, due to dropping.

Briefly, a known embodiment of the present invention is a set of magnetic lifting handles for temporary attachment to the exterior of a tank type water heater. A set of magnetic handles abuts the outer wall of the tank, and are then secured with a strapping apparatus. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become clear to those skilled in the art in view of the description of modes of carrying out the invention, and the industrial applicability thereof, as described herein and as illustrated in the several figures of the drawings. The objects and advantages listed are not an exhaustive list of all possible advantages of the invention. Moreover, it will be possible to practice the invention even where one or more of the intended objects and/or advantages might be absent or not required in the application. Further, those skilled in the art will recognize that various embodiments of the present invention may achieve one or more, but not necessarily all, of the above described objects and advantages. Accordingly, the listed advantages are not essential elements of the present invention, and should not be construed as limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided two handles. Each magnetic lifting handle consists of a handle base plate, magnetic material, one handle and, two strap loops. Each handle base plate and handle is formed to mirror the radius of a cylinder before assembly. The magnetic lifting handles are to be used with a strapping apparatus, because the magnets on the back are only for holding the handles to the tank, so the hands are free for strapping purposes. Simply apply the handles to the tank at a desired height and radius, then thread a strapping apparatus through the strap loops of the handles encompassing the tank and secure magnetic handles tight with the strapping apparatus. At that point the user has a set of secure handles to grasp and then can use proper lifting techniques for lifting and controlling a work load of that size and weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front exploded view of a cinch-n-lift before assembly;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of an assembled cinch-n-lift;

FIG. 3 is a top view of an assembled cinch-n-lift;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a set of cinch-n-lift fixed to an example of a tank type water heater; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a set of cinch-n-lift fixed to a tank type water heater and the utilization of a strapping apparatus.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a front exploded view of cinch-n-lift prior to assembly. In accordance with the present invention a number of elements make up the embodiment.

The handle base plate 14 is the foundation for which all the remaining elements are to be attached. The handle base plate 14 can be fabricated of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. The handle base plate 14 is formed to duplicate the radius of a cylinder prior to assembly. Moreover the handle base plate 14 is wider at the bottom than the top, so it will flex to multiple diameters and may be any shape. Also the handle base plate 14 has holes placed in it to allow for the handle 10 and strap loop 12 to be mechanically fastened in a manner well known to those in the art.

The magnetic material 16 can be attached to the handle base plate 14 by gluing, adhesive taping or any other manner well known to those skilled in the art. Strap loop 12 can be attached to handle base plate 14 by gluing, welding, or mechanically fastening in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Handle 10 for grasping can be attached to handle base plate 14 by gluing, welding, or mechanically fastening in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Handle 10 and strap loop 12 can be fabricated from metal, plastic, etc. and may be any shape.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a cinch-n-lift assembled 24. A cinch-n-lift assembled 24 includes handle 10,strap loop 12, handle base plate 14, and magnetic material 16.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a cinch-n-lift assembled 24. A cinch-n-lift assembled 24 includes handle 10, strap loop 12, handle base plate 14, and magnetic material 16.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cinch-n-lift assembled 24 magnetic water heater handles fixed to an example of a tank type water heater 18, this view denotes the function that the magnetic material 16 provides, which is to hold the cinch-n-lift assembled 24 magnetic water heater handles fixed in place allowing the user to strap the cinch-n-lift securely without being confounded by having to do two operations at once, i.e. holding and strapping.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cinch-n-lift assembled 24 magnetic water heater handles 24, fixed to an example of a tank type water heater 18 along with a strapping apparatus 20, which depicts the proper execution of method for using the present invention.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims. 

1. A cinch-n-lift magnetic water heater handles for lifting and moving tank type water heaters, comprising: means for grasping; means for keeping strap apparatus in place; means for the mounting base of all the components, rigidly connected to said means for keeping strap apparatus in place, and rigidly connected to said means for grasping; means for keeping cinch-n-lft in place for strapping purposes, adhesively connected to said means for the mounting base of all the components; and means for securing cinch-n-lift to tank type water heater.
 2. The cinch-n-lift magnetic water heater handles in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for grasping comprises a handle.
 3. The cinch-n-lift magnetic water heater handles in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for keeping strap apparatus in place comprises a strap loop.
 4. The cinch-n-lift magnetic water heater handles in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for the mounting base of all the components comprises a handle base plate.
 5. The cinch-n-lift magnetic water heater handles in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for keeping cinch-n-lft in place for strapping purposes comprises a magnetic material.
 6. The cinch-n-lift magnetic water heater handles in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for securing cinch-n-lift to tank type water heater comprises a strapping apparatus.
 7. A cinch-n-lift magnetic water heater handles for lifting and moving tank type water heaters, comprising: a handle, for grasping; a strap loop, for keeping strap apparatus in place; a handle base plate, for the mounting base of all the components, rigidly connected to said strap loop, and rigidly connected to said handle; a magnetic material, for keeping cinch-n-lft in place for strapping purposes, adhesively connected to said handle base plate; and a strapping apparatus, for securing cinch-n-lift to tank type water heater. 